AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"What frustrates you, Cole?"
The way she pronounces my name makes me gaze at her lips. I quickly focus on something else, and knowing honesty works, I answer. "I suck at being a parent. Samantha is miserable with me. I haven’t been able to make her crack a smile since she moved here. And you... When I arrived at your door after I called her, you two were laughing, and that just got to me." I let out a huff and clench my jaw while returning to observing the world outside.
"Cole, you’re too hard on yourself."
"You said it yourself. She has difficulties living with me. What if she hates me?"
* * *
Alisha
My breath hitches.Oh, I never expected this. As I glance up at Cole, I see the tension in his posture, and a sense of guilt washes over me. I blamed him for being insensitive, but to be honest, I've been compassionless myself to him and his feelings. It touches me knowing his key goal is to make his daughter smile.
Thinking back to today, I understand his reaction. He's been walking on eggshells for the last fourteen days, trying his best, with no results at all. I place my hand on his arm as I give him my opinion. "She doesn't hate you, Cole. Samantha is a teenager who's adjusting to having a father instead of a mother. And don't forget she's mourning and adapting to living in Boston, too."
He clenches his teeth harder.
"Did she mention her mom these two weeks?" I ask.
He lowers and shakes his head. "We’ve had no proper conversation since she got here." He rubs the back of his neck. "Every time I try, she leaves for her room."
He turns and paces through his kitchen like a caged lion. I haven't seen this honest, more sensitive side of him before, but I have to admit, it appeals. He's not the grumpy, arrogant man I thought he was. There is more to him. Yes, he's serious, but it's just one part of his personality.
Now I ponder the question, how can I help them? After Nick and Cole had left the apartment earlier, I poured my heart out to Emma. I told her everything, and she came up with a surprising idea. If he agrees to this, it means I'll be spending more time with them. I bite the inside of my lip. Am I ready for that? Yes, I'm willing to try it. This sweet girl deserves to have a home. So I turn my attention back to the imposing man and speak.
"Do you still want my help with Samantha?" His eyes scan my face.
"Yes."
"Okay. Next question. Can you cook?"
He squints. "Why is that important?"
"Just answer the question. Can you cook?"
He places his hands in his pockets before taking a step towards me and answering, "Yeah, I can cook."
My lips curl. "Perfect."
"Why is that perfect?"
His confused face only enhances my enthusiasm and excitement. Without thinking, I step closer to him and pat my palms on his chest while saying with a bright smile. "As of tomorrow, we will start cooking our meals together with Samantha. It will help make her feel more at home with you."
"And by we, you mean you, Samantha, and myself?"
"Yeah, that way, I can help you with the conversation part. She might open up quicker since I'm a woman. Emma came up with the idea, and I love it. What do you think?"
Instead of answering, he stares at my fingers drumming on his torso. Once I notice that I'm touching him, I halt the movement and examine my small hands lying on his impressive upper body. The vision of my flamingo pink nails caressing the soft fabric of his white shirt is hypnotic. His body radiates a pleasant warmth that flows from my palms into my arms. Enthralled, I watch how his hands come up and cover mine.
"Alisha." The timbre in his voice pulls me out of my mesmerized state, and I let my eyes travel north. The air gets stuck in my throat when they meet his bright blues. There is an intensity, an honesty, and a gentleness I haven't seen before. My body tingles when my eyes fall to his mouth. I wonder how those lips move in a kiss. Startled by my inner thoughts, my gaze returns to our joined hands, but this causes my mind to fire another question. How would it feel if his fingers followed my body's curves?
"Oh, sorry for interrupting."
Cole lets go of me as he steps back and directs his attention to Samantha, who strolls into the room, while I'm still dazed by my thoughts.
"You didn't interrupt. Do you need anything?"
"Uh, yes, Nick and Emma want coffee." The teenager's eyes dart between Cole and me before she walks further to the coffee machine.
